Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition • Who We Are

WHO WE ARE

The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition was founded in 2005 by journalists, librarians, attorneys, educators and community group leaders. The organization is dedicated to protecting the right of all citizens to obtain public information from local and state government officials.

Fifty individuals, representing every geographic area of the state, took part in our founding conference at the Hotel Yorktowne in York in November 2005.

The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition was incorporated and granted tax-exempt status effective Dec. 22, 2005.

In January 2007, the Pennsylvania coalition became a member of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, an alliance of nonprofit, state FOI and First Amendment organizations and academic centers concentrating on First Amendment-related issues. The Pennsylvania coalition was awarded a $10,000 start-up grant from the national organization.

• COALITION BYLAWS • ARTICLES of INCORPORATION
• CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION
• 2006 MINUTES • 2006 IRS 990

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

Local governments compile hundreds of thousands of public records every year. The more you can be specific about what you want, the quicker officials can provide it.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

The Pennsylvania FOI Coalition is a nonprofit alliance formed to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have full and open access to their federal, state and local governments, their records and their proceedings.

The coalition stresses that such access results in the most responsive and effective government, and, in turn, stimulates civic involvement and trust in government.

The organization aims to preserve and improve access to all aspects of government, to achieve a presumption of access, to fund and implement grassroots and educational access efforts, to educate legislators in the need for access, and to participate fully in efforts to improve legislation to ensure the fullest possible access to government.

It will assist all Pennsylvanians - including individual citizens, students, educators, the media, professionals, and others in business in the private and public sectors - in fully realizing their rights and carrying out their responsibilities as citizens in our democracy.

PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION
2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

, President
Partner, Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz, LLP • Philadelphia

, Vice President
Founding Co-Director, Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment
• State College

, Secretary
Managing Editor, Potter Leader-Enterprise• Coudersport

, Treasurer
President and CEO, Pennsylvania Cable Network • Camp Hill

, Director / Chair: Education Committee
Public Services Director, Dauphin County Library System • Harrisburg

, Director / Chair: Legal Committee
Partner, Fox Rothschild, LLP • Philadelphia

, Director
News Director, WPMT Fox 43 • York

, Director
Chief of Bureau, Associated Press • Philadelphia

, Director / Chair: Legislative Initiatives Committee
Reporter, WTAE Channel 4 Action News • Pittsburgh

, Director / Chair: Membership Committee
Editor, Lancaster New Era • Lancaster

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PO Box 293
Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327-0293

GENERAL COUNSEL

Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall, LLP
200 North 3rd St. • 18th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101 • 717.236.3010

The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Defending access to government.

WHO WE ARE